News Archive

Somalia - Reconciliation and Dialogue

July 5, 2005

U.S. Department of State Press Release

The United States welcomes the June 5, 2005 statement, issued on behalf of the international community by Ambassador François L. Fall, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, calling the attention of all Somali leaders as well as regional countries to the 1992 United Nations arms embargo on Somalia, and recalling the declaration by all the Somali leaders to avoid arms as a solution to their differences.

The United States strongly supports the establishment of a functioning central government in Somalia. We will not support anyone or any part of the Transitional Federal Institutions that acts outside the ongoing peaceful reconciliation processes. Violence or military action by any members of the Transitional Federal Institutions or other parties is unacceptable.

The United States joins the Special Representative of the Secretary General in calling on all leaders in Somalia to exercise maximum restraint and take effective steps to reduce tension. All members of the Transitional Federal Government must respect the will of the Somali people and work within the framework of the Transitional Federal Institutions to find a peaceful solution to any current disagreements based on the consensus of a broad quorum of the Somali MPs.